Maine and New Hampshire hop on the equality train
Photo by Kendra Fujino
This week, New Hampshire and Maine hopped on the equality train and passed state bills to legalize same-sex marriages. It was a very significant step as the state legislatures approved the bills, though the final yay or nay was then given to the governors.
Such an exchange effectively passed the rights of individuals into the hands of a single individual-one who must grapple with both equality and re-election.
Gov. John Baldacci of Maine signed the bill into law; thus, providing all Mainers?…Mainettes?…citizens of Maine… the right to marry regardless of sexual orientation. Maine is the sixth state to do so. Rhode Island is now the only state in New England that does not allow same-sex couples the right to marry.
Talk about a black sheep.
In his statement, Baldacci said, “In the past, I opposed gay marriage while supporting the idea of civil unions. I have come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law, and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage.”
New Hampshire’s governor has yet to make a decision, though he says it will be “the best decision.”
We will see how he defines the word “best” and if it’s actually code for “political strategy.”
As a citizen of the great state of California, I am still struggling with the passing of Prop. 8. It saddens me that Californians would deprive others of their right to a happy and loving marriage.
We are a titan of a state and from the liberal Mecca of San Francisco to the conservative suburbs of San Diego, we are a state of citizens who firmly believe in the right to voice opinions. While we can disagree over the Giants and Dodgers and Nor Cal vs. So Cal, I would never dream of depriving anyone of their rights just because I didn’t like their lifestyle.
And that brings me to the newest media star of the same-sex marriage argument: Miss California Carrie Prejean.
I would love to see “liberalado” San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsome and Miss California duke it out in a debate/beauty contest. In the words of Zoolander, they are both really, really ridiculously good-looking.
While they flash those pearly whites, they can argue about Constitutional law versus Biblical law. Yet the reality is, neither one really matters as it boils down to the law of the state.
Whether you believe in same-sex marriage or as Prejean put it, opposite marriage, why should that personal belief be imposed on others? Where is the freedom to simply live your life without attempting to undermine someone else’s?
For all of her criticism, Miss California is entitled to her opinion and I applaud her for remaining true to her own beliefs. She answered a question honestly and no one should fault her for that. I do wish she could have been more eloquent in her delivery but such is the result of the pressure cooker that is the Miss U.S.A. pageant.
I applaud states like Vermont, Maine and Massachusetts. Not simply because they have granted same-sex couples the right to marry, but because they felt it was their duty to provide equality to all citizens.Gov. Baldacci isn’t necessarily a champion for gay rights, but he is a firm proponent of equality.
Just remember, the Bill of Rights granted all Americans free speech, but freedom of choice is still a little muddled, especially where choosing your spouse is concerned.
